Warner stressed that updated versions of Firefox will remain readily available to install from the Ubuntu Software Center.

‘Concerns Addressed’

The session also saw developers tackle concerns and complaints that have prevented Chromium becoming the default browser in the past. Security, PC support, user-preferences, and methods of delivering updated packages were all touched upon.

One commonly raised ‘issue’ is that of extensions, or rather lack thereof, available the open-source browser in comparison to Firefox. Chad Miller, maintainer of Chromium in Ubuntu, explained that the Chrome Webstore offers a massive choice already, adding that “if it’s recent code, it’s almost certain someone has built it for Chrome.”

Switching to Chromium will also allow Unity Web Apps to take advantage of a proper ‘Chromeless’ state rather than the Firefox insistence on them opening in a new tab.

Sadly for those using PowerPC versions of Ubuntu Chromium’s V8 rendering engine is not available, meaning Firefox would have to ship in its place.

A final decision on whether to default to Chromium will be taken following further consultation with the Ubuntu community in the coming weeks.

Key Points:

Developers debating switch to Chromium

Chormium ‘more popular’ than Firefox, as well as more performant

Switch would create ‘consistency’ between Ubuntu Touch & Ubuntu desktop as both use Webkit

Unity Web Apps will be able to use Chromium ‘Chromeless’ mode

Stable releases of Chromium will be released as they’re available, much like Firefox

Firefox will remain updated and available to install from Software Center

Although I prefer Firefox over Chromium, I see no particular disadvantage to Canonical making Chromium the default browser in Ubuntu as long as they continue updating Firefox like they are currently. In fact, it might even be a net benefit if it encourages Canonical to keep on top of Chromium releases as well as they already do for Firefox. This move will effectively change almost nothing. The people who prefer Firefox will still use Firefox and the people who prefer Chrome will still use Chromium (or Chrome).

Hey xorange, Is iceweasel the open source Debian version of Firefox, as Chromium is the open source of Chrome?

Iceweasel is the Debian version of Firefox with different branding. It exists purely because the Firefox branding isn't compatible with the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG). Functionally Iceweasel and Firefox are identical.

Iceweasel is the Debian version of Firefox with different branding. It exists purely because the Firefox branding isn't compatible with the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG). Functionally Iceweasel and Firefox are identical.